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Rutland Techno Report

24 May 2008

Rutland Water, Part 2 of the UKWA Inland Series and an RYA selection event for those wishing to apply for the 2008/2009 Bic Techno National Junior Squad and also part of the selection process for the team who will represent Team GBR at the Techno World Championships in Sopot, Poland in August. National Squad coach Oli Woodcock, together with Ian Roberts and Isy Hutchinson were in attendance on behalf of the RYA.

The Techno Fleet which is ever growing was represented by 53 Techno sailors on the main course comprising of both 6.8 and 7.8 fleets. We were treated to some very close, entertaining and at times surprising racing. It is also good to see the new Bic One Design sail in attendance, mixing it with the Tushingham TK's.

Saturday started with Matt Brown taking the lead in the first race, but Sam Sills, reigning 6.8 World Champion, was hot on his heels and took over the lead at the end of the last upwind leg, leading to the finish. George Bowles was not far behind taking 3rd position, with Kieran Martin coming in 4th and 1st 6.8. The first 7.8 girl in that race was Nicola Granger followed by Becky Plummer and Chloe Bennett. The 6.8 girls were led by Imogen Sills.

In race 2 the wind had dropped slightly with the leaders still being Sam, Matt and George, but a slight change in the 7.8 girls fleet with Becky Plummer earning herself a fine 5th place (1st girl), Joanna Evans 6th and Nicola 7th, with Stuart Hards taking 4th overall and 1st 6.8. The South West 6.8 girls again showed their talent, with Laurel 1st, Imogen 2nd and Noelle Finch 3rd.

After lunch race 3 began, and the wind had lifted slightly, Josh Leadbetter stormed through the fleet and followed Sam over the line to gain a 2nd place.

Race 4 on Saturday was the NCH Marathon, which is a sponsored event and means that the competitors sail a marked course around the perimeter of the lake, around 11 to 14 miles I believe. Unfortunately, the wind had dropped, but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Techno fleet. The start was led by Nicola Granger who was overtaken by Sam Sills who was 1st Techno at the first tower with Matt Brown and George Bowles in 2nd and 3rd place keeping these positions till the end. Kieran Martin was the 1st 6.8 boy.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny, with the hope of another 4 races to complete the weekend, we were not disappointed. In the first race of the day Charlie Money scooped himself a superb 3rd place behind Sam Sills and Matt Brown, with George Bowles 4th and Sam Conroy in 5th.

Race 4 on Sunday was the most surprising of the weekend with a massive wind shift occurring as the leaders were approaching the upwind mark, this caused the leaders to suddenly be put back by around 18 places with a lot of work to do to recover their positions.